Local History

Local filmmaker Bill Townley decided that this brave North Staffordshire man - who was killed during the Battle at Arnhem, after foiling a German attack on his own - deserved to have his efforts preserved on film.

He used local props, actors and locations to portray Jack's life and created the film without additional help.

Filmmaker Bill Townley

Neglected for 40 years, the film - which was shot in colour - has now been restored by Ray Johnson at the Staffordshire film archive and is set to get a special 40th anniversary screening at the Staffordshire Film Theatre.

Fighting to the Death

John, or Jack Baskeyfield – a paratrooper from Burslem, Staffordshire – didn't stop fighting the Germans, during the Second World War, even after the rest of his troop had died. He even managed to foil a tank attack single-handedly by maintaining fire and never giving up hope.

His remains were buried at Oosterbeek, near where he was killed.

He was posthumously given the Victoria Cross for his bravery – the only man in Stoke-on-Trent to receive one during the war - and a statue has been erected at Festival Park in Hanley.

Bill Townley, who now lives in Cresswell, created a film – which he edited, directed and produced himself - depicting the events of 1944.

It took this local filmmaker three years to make the film - called 'Baskeyfield VC' - and he used local people instead of actors to give the film authenticity.

A still from the restored film

The film was shot by Bill in various locations around Tean, near Stoke, and the tank sequences were shot on Salisbury Plain.

Restoration

Only one copy of the film exists and this is one reason why Ray Johnson at The Staffordshire Film Archive felt it was so important to restore it.

He digitally restored the film without any additional help and at his own cost. The original soundtrack has been added - so it can be shown on the big screen in its original form.The special screening of the film was held on Wednesday 23rd September 2009 at the Stoke Film Theatre.

There will be a commemorative DVD of the film, with many extras - including a behind-the-scenes look at how the film was created and a visit to the filming locations.